The Chief of Behavioral Health effectively contributes to strategic objectives by developing, implementing, and coordinating programs, in collaboration with executive leadership and through collaboration with other leaders across VISN 17 sites. A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive & Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance) may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual.

Duties

The Psychiatrist, Chief of Behavioral Health (BH) effectively leads the organization toward achieving stated VHA and VISN program goals, in support of the VHA MH Strategic Plan and in concert with VHA and VISN Strategic and Performance Measurement plans. In support thereof, the incumbent is responsible for the development, coordination, review, and evaluation of BH programs, policies and procedures and assumes the authority to ensure implementation, as well as to maintain and improve BH operations. Administrative (Supervisory) Responsibilities (70%): Decisions are made with very wide latitude and independent judgment. Participates as chair of BH Executive Council in making decisions about BH services. Applies knowledge of state of the art, evidence-based practice of mental health treatments and organized treatment programs including a familiarity with all of the disciplines that provide mental health treatment services. Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and business acumen in order to effectively and efficiently communicate timely information/reports to a broad variety of audiences including the highest levels of management. Has supervisory responsibility for subordinates (Deputy Chief of BH/Psychology Executive, and BH Program Managers) and is responsible for all professional, management, and administrative aspects of BH services. Evaluates partnerships for other services including but not limited to Primary Care, Geriatrics and Extended Care, Whole Health, and medical services that have an embedded BH provider or may refer to BH services, using relevant VA statutes and regulations & takes action to improve identified deficiencies. Responsible for all administrative actions associated with BH including tracking and evaluating staff's workload and productivity, Action Items related to BH, creating, implementing and ensuring compliance with policies and procedures related to all aspects of BH services, documentation of clinical services and workload, performance improvement tasks, compliance with VA performance measures, meeting all appropriate strategic goals, compliance with requirements for follow up of Veterans who miss clinical appointments, ensuring utilization of clinical resources, etc. Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with internal and external customers. Other Administrative Responsibilities (10%) Attends National, VISN, and medical center meetings as appropriate. Accepts when able additional and special assignments that are necessary to meet the needs and goals of AMAVAHCS in serving Veterans. Collaborates in the performance improvement processes and comply with performance measures as required by the VA for these specific programs. Participates in activities that obtain customer satisfaction feedback from clients (internal and external to the VA) and work to enhance services as needed. Clinical (20%) The ACOS-BH must have knowledge of and ability to apply advanced professional knowledge in psychiatry to address the full range of needs for the Veteran populations. Provides professional advice and consultation in areas related to psychiatry medicine and rehabilitation; performs psychiatry evaluations upon referral from primary care providers and other providers at the AMAVAHCS and its CBOCs as well as inter-facility consults. Provides direct care and clinical assessment and triage/case management, as assigned. Provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic services including assessment and using the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques in providing quality care. Performs psychological consultations, screenings, and evaluations. Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions including individual and group psychotherapy, psychoeducation, treatment planning, and participation in therapeutic community. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Authorized Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Required Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00am- 4:30pm

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: Degree of Doctor of Medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Licensure and Registration: Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are: Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States), which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences. Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e., not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent or fee-basis. PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; rather, they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision. Additionally, surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs. English Language Proficiency. Physicians appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7402(d) and 7407(d). Preferred Experience: MD or DO with active Board Certification Advanced Healthcare/ Business Management training or degree Supervisory VA Experience Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: The position requires compliance with VA Handbook and VASTHCS Policy related to physical requirements. Heavy lifting of 45 pounds and over, Heavy carrying of 45 pounds and over, Reaching above should, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking 1-2 hours, Standing for 1-2 hours, Repeated bending for 1-2 hours, Both legs required, Near vision at 13 to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted), Mental and emotional stability.

Education

1. Schools of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for the year in which the degree was granted, or
2. Schools of osteopathic medicine approved by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation of the American Osteopathic Association for the year in which the degree was granted.
3. For foreign medical graduates not covered in (1) or (2) above, facility officials must verify with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) that the applicant has met requirements for certification, and must obtain a copy of the ECFMG certificate, if claimed by the applicant. [If the applicant does not claim an ECFMG certificate, facility officials must still confirm that the medical school meets (or met) ECFMG eligibility requirements for the year the candidate graduated.]

Contacts

• Address Thomas E Creek VA Medical Center 6010 Amarillo Boulevard, West Amarillo, TX 79106 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]